I will be in Budapest Sept 21-25 and was hoping to schedule in a performance by the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble. If I interpret their website correctly, there are no concerts in September. Darn.
Can anyone suggest another option for hearing traditional music and dance? I thought about a dinner cruise, but my understanding is that since they are not on a stage, one might not even be able to see them while dining. I'd prefer a different type of venue where I can see them. Thanks for any ideas.
There used to be two groups in town that had performances a few times a week. The shut down during COVID and I haven't seen much of them since.
The only other venue I know of is very Hungarian and somewhat participatory: https://www.fono.hu/hu/ Never bern, so if you go a trip report would be great.
I did attend one of the dinner cruises during my first visit to Budapest in 2018. My table was mid way back on the small ship. I had a partial view of the dancers. The music was still enjoyable.
The place I went for a dance show on a proper stage, Duna Palota, seems not to be running any longer.
I found mention of a dance show with dinner option in GetYourGuide. It has recent reviews with shows listed Fridays and Sundays in August and September.
It sounds like a much smaller show, sized for a restaurant instead of a small theater.
One of the reviews says they would have been disappointed if they were at a back table and couldn't see a thing, but they were lucky to have a great view. Hard to say whether guests who book the dinner and performance are given the better seats.
Search GetYourGuide for Budapest Folk Dancing and look for the one that isn't a cruise.
Here's the link for the one I found:
You may be able to contact the restaurant directly and ask to book a table near the dancers. Check the map and you can see the restaurant, a short walk from the Opera House.
I tracked down the one CWsocial found. You get options to just buy a ticket for the concert, or buy it with goulash, or with a full dinner.
https://gastrocellar.com/en/folklor_concerts_in_gastrocellar/
But for next week Get Your Guide was offering a discount, making it a bit cheaper.
This was apparently a Palinka Bar a few months ago.
Looks facinating. In addition to the folk art show they do wine tastings every evening.
The prices for the folk art show are $20 or $30 or $60 depending on just a drink, gulyás or a full meal (although TTM found a discount).
Its a Friday night thing only and it lasts for about 2 hours.
Its located on Kiraly utca next to the entrance to the Wombat Hostel. That end of Kiraly utca isnt a lot of fun in the evening if you are over 25 but its just a few feet from a sidestreet, Káldy Gyula utca which will get you Bob's Kitchen or right back to Andrassy ut.
